PPFS-GEN-17: Cleaning and Disinfecting Home Garden Tools and Equipment

Kara Back, Nicole Ward Gauthier, Kimberly Leonberger | Jun. 26, 2020 (New)

Dirty tools, containers, and surfaces come as no surprise to home gardeners (Figure 1). Rinsing with water to remove obvious soil or plant residues is a common practice. However, this type of basic cleaning can fail to remove microscopic plant pathogens that can remain on surfaces. Tools, containers, shoes, and surfaces should also be disinfected to remove fungal, bacterial, and viral plant pathogens to prevent transmission to healthy plants.